‘Books may not feed the hungry, but they nourish the mind’ | India News

Books may not provide food, but they offer something just as essential—knowledge, imagination, and the power to dream. For many children in India, owning a book is a luxury, yet the impact of a single book can be life-changing.
“Books fuel curiosity, expand perspectives, and develop cognitive skills,” said Pallippuram Sajith, MD of Bindwel Technologies, who will run a campaign to seek shift gifting culture toward books, promoting literacy and storytelling. “A child with access to books has a better chance of succeeding academically and socially.”
According to UNESCO, early exposure to books significantly improves literacy and language skills. However, millions of Indian children still lack access to reading material. Renu Kaul, an independent education consultant, highlighted the gap: “Libraries in schools are either underfunded or non-existent. Encouraging book donations and affordable publishing can change this.”
Beyond academics, books shape emotional intelligence. “A well-told story teaches empathy,” said author Paro Anand. “Books don’t just feed the mind—they change lives.”